T. & Lippi, F. Masaccio Paintings

Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone, known as Masaccio, was a seminal figure in the early Renaissance painting, born in 1401 in Castel San Giovanni (now San Giovanni Valdarno), Tuscany, Italy. His nickname, Masaccio, loosely translates to 'Clumsy Tom' or 'Messy Tom,' hinting at perhaps his disregard for worldly affairs in favor of his art. Masaccio is celebrated for his mastery in the use of perspective and the depiction of the human figure in three-dimensional space, marking a significant departure from the stylized forms of Gothic art that preceded him. His works are characterized by their realism, emotional intensity, and use of light and shadow, which would influence generations of artists, including Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Despite his brief career, Masaccio's innovations in painting established him as a pivotal figure in the development of Western art. He died in Rome in 1428 under circumstances that remain mysterious, leaving a legacy that would profoundly shape the course of Renaissance painting.